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Looks like the North of Falcon isnt the only messed up thing thats going to screw up our fishing this year.

Oregon just told WDFW and sport fishermen to go jump in a lake. They want to keep the gil netters happy instead. There may be no Columbia fishing in joint Wa/Or waters as a result but no one knows yet.

Late tonight, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Commission voted 4-3 on an Enhanced Commercial Rebalance of the Columbia River reforms.

This decision violated a reasonable compromise the State of Washington passed last week, ignored recommendations from ODFW staff and broke a promise to over 400,000 anglers across Oregon and Washington. These actions were taken despite authors of the plan presenting evidence of its success and legislators, both Republican and Democrat, strongly encouraging commissioners to stay the course.

The Commissioners, lead by Governor Kate Brown’s appointees, voted to permanently leave gillnets in the mainstem and renege on the sportfishing priority. They allocated more fish to the gillnetters in the fall, which will pound on weaker stocks of steelhead and sturgeon and further cut into already short seasons for our industry. A panel of conservation groups (Oregon League of Conservation Voters, Trout Unlimited, Wild Salmon Center) all strenuously encouraged the Commission to stick to the conservation goals of the plan, but this fell on deaf ears.

Governor Brown’s Commission has thrown the river into chaos, put the ODFW agency budget at risk, showed a disregard for our relationship with the state of Washington Commission, and insulted anglers who have sacrificed both financially and with less opportunity. Their complete focus on a select few gill-netters, despite statutory language that includes the enhanced economics of the sports fleet, is beyond comprehension and explanation. Frankly, their actions suggest they care nothing for the average angler, but for a select group of gill-net fisherman and it's less than 200 licensees.

For the first time in over 100 years the two states will have non concurrent rules. ODFW staff expressed disbelief and concern about what to do. At one point ODFW asked how Oregon State Police would enforce a divide in the river and OSP had no comment. Are Oregon anglers required to purchase both Oregon and Washington licenses to fish the entire river? Or, more likely, will each side be forced to buy a license from their state and be required to only fish their side of the river. This has the potential to cost millions of dollars and jobs for the hard working men and women who make up the sport fishing industry. Not including the months of potential litigation between the two states.

Governor Brown promised and committed twice to CCA Oregon, NSIA, Steelheaders NW and NW Guides and Anglers that she was committed to making the Columbia River reforms a reality. Unfortunately, her appointees and Commission must not have gotten the message. Much more to follow

Highlights of the policy adopted today include:

Spring and summer Chinook Endangered Species Act (ESA) impacts will be allocated 80 percent for recreational fisheries; 20 percent for commercial fisheries. Commercial fishing with tangle nets allowed on the mainstem river in the spring and largemesh gillnets in the summer. Fall Chinook ESA impacts will be allocated 66 percent for recreational fisheries and 34 percent for commercial fisheries. Gillnets will be allowed in Zones 4 and 5 and coho tangle nets will be allowed in Zones 1 through 3. Continuation of the Youngs Bay “control zone” fishery closure. Removal of the barbless hook requirement for lower Willamette River and Oregon off-channel recreational fisheries. Continued enhancement in off-channel areas for commercial harvest. Additional spring Chinook production to Oregon Select Area Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) areas.

And to think ODFW was charging all sport fisherman an endorsement to fish the columbia that cost 9.95 for the last 3 years to help offset the cost of the few commercial fishermen that still use gillnets on the lower columbia.... Basically they f'ed all the sport fisherman and used the money for????.

I wonder just what would happen if every single person says f em and not buy any licenses this season both washington and Oregon.....

From the head of the Oregon chapter of CCA. I think we all need to support CCA in Wa as well. If you are not a member - join. They are fighting for the fish and for us.

Though disheartening, Friday’s ODFW Commission decision to allow the permanent continuation of gillnetting in the mainstem of the Columbia River was not completely unexpected. We should all be outraged that Oregon Governor Kate Brown did not honor her commitment to fully implement the Columbia River reforms by ensuring that Commissioner Buckmaster worked within the bounds of the reforms and Senate Bill 830.

Instead of keeping her promises, Governor Brown allowed Buckmaster to undo the reforms, effectively breaking 100 years of Columbia River co-management with Washington State, as well as multiple laws, including SB830. In doing so, Governor Brown has raised serious doubts about her commitment to fisheries conservation and hundreds of thousands of recreational anglers (and voters) across Oregon.

CCA leadership is currently evaluating and considering a variety of possible actions following Friday’s decision. We will not be deterred in our resolve to end the use of gillnets on the Columbia. CCA has acted in good faith and trusted others would do the same. After yesterday's vote, it's clear that integrity and a desire to do the right thing for wild salmon and steelhead stocks is not a priority for the majority of the ODFW Commission and it is time to change our approach and amplify the volume.

As conservationists and stewards who enjoy and respect Oregon’s natural resources, it is more important than ever to stick together and fight for the protections these magnificent fish deserve. As sports fishers, it’s time to insist that we realize what was agreed to in 2012, demand what we have been promised and compromised for, and have already paid for! It is not a question of if, it is only a question of when. CCA Oregon is committed today more than ever to ensure that the future of the Columbia's salmon and steelhead fisheries are bright and that our grandchildren will have the opportunity to catch them. Stay tuned! It’s far from over.